Ellen Locker ’20, Karen MacNaul ‘22 In 2023 and 2024, the Rutgers Master Gardener Native Plant Team Hiking team hiked, sleuthed, identified, photographed, catalogued and researched fun facts on native plants found in Duke Island Park (DIP), part of the Somerset County Park Commission (SCPC) system in Bridgewater. The team identified 75 native plants, of […]
Written by R.P. R., Rutgers Master Gardener of Somerset County Grow bags aren’t a new concept. Ancient Egyptians would weave plant baskets and the Greeks used woven containers on their rooftop gardens as they could be easily moved. Many British gardeners have long used grow bags as an alternative to planting directly into greenhouse soil. […]
Written by Mousumi P., Rutgers Master Gardener of Somerset County With spring right around the corner, it’s a great time check out all the colorful seed catalogs and seed packets for this year’s garden. But with seemingly endless plant options for vegetables and flowers, where to begin? Seed catalogs and packets aren’t just beautiful to […]
Written by Karen D’Ambrosio, Rutgers Master Gardener of Somerset County, ‘15 Just because winter is here, it does not mean you can’t putter around in the yard. While waiting for the warmer days of early spring to arrive, bundle up and head outdoors. Winter is the perfect time to weed, yes I said weed and […]
Written by Mary P., Somerset County Rutgers Master Gardener Sorghastrum nutans, commonly called Indiangrass, yellow Indiangrass or Indian grass, is one of the dominant grasses of the tallgrass American prairie that stretches from the east coast to the Rocky Mountains, Arizona and Utah. It is a perennial bunch grass with upright form that grows in […]
Written by Laura H., Somerset County Rutgers Master Gardener After an interminably gray and frigid winter, the first peeks of spring’s colors elicit those giddy feelings of anticipation of warm weather and rebirth. Among the earliest of these vernal messengers are the hellebores, beautiful perennials that flaunt their colors in winter and early spring. Displays […]
Written by Mousumi P., Somerset County Rutgers Master Gardener With its vibrant colors of reds, whites, and even pinks and peaches, Amaryllis (Hippeastrum) aptly comes from the Greek word amarysso meaning “to sparkle”. Although Amaryllis are usually thought of as a winter or holiday flower, this commercially popular bulb is a hybrid originating in the […]
Writted by Debbie C. Somerset County Rutgers Master Gardener Who doesn’t cheer at the sight of the iconic red berries and evergreen branches of Holly during the December holidays? Over 480 species populate the genus Ilex yet the term “Holly” traditionally references English Holly (Ilex aquifolium), a Christmas decoration brought to the United States with […]
Written by Mousumi P., Somerset County Rutgers Master Gardener The Somerset County Rutgers Master Gardener Helpline has been getting many inquiries lately about Boxwoods. Boxwoods, with its many species and cultivars, are broad-leaved evergreen shrubs mostly used as foundation planting and backdrops for planting beds and formal gardens. Unfortunately they are often susceptible to several […]
Written by Irene F., Somerset County Rutgers Master Gardener If your perennials are looking a little worn out and tired after weeks of excessive heat followed by pouring rains, fear not! In most cases your plants can be rejuvenated with a little deadheading. Summer beauties like daisies, blanket flower, hyssop, bee balm, and butterfly bush […]
